A planned daytime drop-in space for homeless individuals in Guelph will not open Monday due to failed agreements between local shelters and the city
Guelph’s Daytime Drop-In Space for Homeless Not Opening as Planned
A new daytime drop-in space for people experiencing homelessness in Guelph will not open on Monday as planned, according to the city’s mayor and local organizations.
Mayor Cam Guthrie expressed his sadness about the news. The city announced it will reopen requests for proposals to establish a drop-in space in the coming weeks.
In December, the city revealed plans to partner with local shelters Stepping Stone and Royal City Mission to create a daytime drop-in space offering food and washroom access.
On Thursday, Stepping Stone announced on Instagram that the service will not proceed.
Stepping Stone assists people and families experiencing homelessness in Guelph. Staff are currently renovating their site at 23 Gordon St. to add a second level.
Stepping Stone’s Instagram post stated that the organization submitted a request for proposal to the city in August to host the drop-in space.
However, the organization reported construction delays and was working with Royal City Mission to finalize an agreement to host the drop-in space until April when construction is expected to be complete.
In December, Guelph city council allocated $850,000 annually for the drop-in space in the 2026 budget.
Stepping Stone’s Instagram post mentioned, “We have been in close communication with Royal City Mission and city staff following the December budget approval in the hopes of finding a bridge solution. Ultimately, those efforts were unsuccessful and we cannot finalize the agreement.”
Kevin Coghill, executive director of Royal City Mission, stated in a statement to CBC News that they hoped to reach an agreement with Stepping Stone to provide the drop-in service temporarily.
Royal City Mission also offers food and drop-in programs for people experiencing homelessness in Guelph. Coghill noted they opened a drop-in space on New Year’s Day and strive to meet community needs with support from the County of Wellington and partner organizations.
Coghill added, “Despite these efforts, we do not currently have a formal agreement in place that would allow us to sustain seven-day-a-week programming. As a result, we are unable to move forward at that level of service at this time.”
He emphasized that their decisions are guided by a commitment to sustainable service and collaboration with partners for the community’s benefit.
Royal City Mission, which experienced funding cuts from the city in April 2024, will change its hours of operation starting Monday:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
| Sunday | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. |
Coghill noted that these changes affect long-standing traditions, including Saturday evening suppers hosted by local churches. He hopes partners can continue supporting the community in new ways.
He acknowledged that reduced hours mean many in the community will lack access to a warm space during the day, impacting other agencies.
Coghill stated, “While our programs are designed to care for individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness, the broader benefits of our work extend across the community, including to businesses, healthcare providers, and emergency services.”
Mayor Cam Guthrie shared his sadness and concern about the drop-in space not opening. He believed the contracted service was moving forward to help those in need.
Guthrie stated, “I can attest that the efforts by many, including city staff, were very focused on getting an agreement in place to start this coming Monday. However, now knowing this won’t happen, the urgency of this issue requires us to consider other options.”
In a post on the City of Guelph’s Facebook page, staff announced a new request for proposals will be issued “in the coming weeks.”
The city remains committed to finding solutions for vulnerable residents to access essential services.
In the meantime, information about emergency shelters, warming spaces, and meal locations can be found on the cold weather response website organized by the Guelph and Wellington Poverty Elimination Collaborative.
